Dental Implant

Looking for a dental implant in Thousand Oaks? Several very qualified dental offices in Thousand Oaks offer high-quality dental implants.

What is a Dental Implant?

As your Thousand Oaks dental implant dentist can explain to you, the term “dental implant” can refer to a wide variety of procedures. Dental implants can include old-fashioned dentures (though these are not true “implants”), semi-permanent dentures, fixed bridges, full arch replacements, or single tooth replacements.

In all Thousand Oaks dental implant procedures, your dentist will go through the same basic steps. The first step will be an oral exam, in which your Thousand Oaks dentist will x-ray your teeth, examine the tooth or teeth to be replaced, and talk with you about your dental implant options. In the second visit, your Thousand Oaks dentist will prepare your teeth for the implant. In some cases, this may include grinding down the teeth that will support your new bridge, or pulling out damaged teeth that need to be replaced.

Sometimes during that second visit, your dentist will also start the first stage of the implant: adding the screws that will hold your new teeth in place. Because these “screws” need a few weeks to fuse to the bone, your next visit will not be for several weeks. Your Thousand Oaks dentist will give you a temporary dental device to help you chew and speak like normal until your next visit.

Losing a tooth is a terrible experience. Dental implants can replace the tooth and restore your ability to eat and talk properly. You will also be able to enjoy your smile again.

During the third or fourth visit, the “new teeth” are added to the screws that were previously implanted in your jaw bone. The good news is that modern technology allows these new dental implants to look and feel very much like real teeth.

In the case of a single tooth replacement, just one of these porcelain false teeth will be implanted. Once that tooth is implanted, it will be there permanently. Your Thousand Oaks dental implant specialist can explain to you how best to care for your new tooth.

In the case of multi-tooth replacements, different dentists will take different approaches. In one approach, a crown is added to your natural teeth on either side of your replaced teeth, and new teeth are cemented into place in between these two crowns. This procedure is known as a bridge. In other cases, each individual new tooth will be screwed into place, locking it into the jaw bone. This procedure is a true dental implant, and although in most cases it will be more expensive, it is also the best way to have completely natural-looking and natural-feeling false teeth.

No matter which dental implant procedure you and your Thousand Oaks dentist decide upon, the solution will definitely be better than your current situation. With no more tooth pain and an ability to eat what you want again, your dental implants will restore your beautiful smile, giving you confidence, peace of mind, and most importantly, good health.

Contact Thousand Oaks Dental Practice and consult with an implant dentist to see if you are a good candidate for dental implants.